6th GARSHOM AWARDS: AWARDEE PROFILES
Garshom Pravasi Ratna Award
SAM KURUVILLA
Doha, Qatar
Carries with him a vast 15 years of Work experience with the ministry of public health, Qatar and equally long period Mustafawa Group as a manager. During his tenure with the ministry of public health, He has had the opportunity to be associated with several visiting delegates from all over the World and has attended several health training programmes undertaken by WHO. Mr. Sam Kuruvilla is from Adoor.
Garshom Pravasi Vanitha Award
VIMALA NAIR
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
She is the First female elected central working committee member in the Malaysian Indian Congress, one of the Three main political parties in Malaysia. She is also the lady chairman of the All Malaysia Malayalee Association. Mrs. Vimala Nair is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in sociology in western university, Canada. She writes in the Local news paper and magazines on social issues. She has also written many books and articles. She has a long list of awards, recognition, achievements won and positions held in public associations.
Garshom Yuva Pravasi Award
REJIKUMAR
Bangalore, India
Mr. Reji Kumar has had a very active social life right from his school days. Mr. Reji Kumar has had leadership qualities imbibed in him from early days, as early as a school student. He later rose to being the General Secretary of the Kerala Samajam, Bangalore. In the professional front, Mr. Rejikumar has a very successful career starting out as the logistics executive at Microland Ltd., Bangalore. He is presently the country manager of Sun Micro systems India Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore.
Garshom Pravasi Returnee Award
BIJI EAPEN
Kochi, India
Mr. Biji Eapen has 18 years of service with Kuwait Airways. He is the managing director of Speed Wings Travel and Tours Pvt. Ltd., Kochi. He is a member of UFTAA, THE Global education and training committee and the board of studies in Bachelor of Tourism Management, Avinasilingal University for women, Coimbatore. He is currently the national president of IATA Agents Association of India and association of IATA authorized training centre. He was the first member of passenger agency programme Global Joint Council from Asia representing UFTAA.
Garshom Special Jury Award
LEKHA SREENIVASAN
Trivandrum, India
Mrs. Lekha Sreenivasan the wife of Mr. T.P. Sreenivasan, Ambassador of India of Austria, is the current chairperson of the World Malayalee Council and founder-chairperson of Karuna Charities. She is also an accomplished Indian dancer (Bharata Natyam), trained by many renowned teachers. Apart from dancing, Mrs. Lekha is interested in other art forms. Mrs. Lekha established Karuna charities which has grown into a strong organization, with hundred of members in New York, Washington, Dallas, Nairobi, Thiruvananthapuram and Austria which are helping thousands of less fortunate people in India, Africa and the USA.
Garshom Best Malayalee Association Award
FRIENDS OF KERALA
Ghaziabad, India
Friends of Kerala (FOK) is a socio-cultural Association of Keralites formed in the year 1979. Besides many memorable incidents of active intervention involving of Keralite origin, FOK has been very active in spreading the culture and tradition of Kerala in its location of activity. Friends of Kerala has organized several programmes and activities bringing the Malayalees of Ghaziabad.